The largest cycling membership organization in North America has named three new U.S. Bicycle Routes in Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Delaware. The Adventure Cycling Association is also adding routes through Indiana and Michigan, all adding more than 650 miles to the U.S. Bicycle Route System and improving connectivity and the cycling experience.
“It’s been 96 years since the iconic Route 66 opened to motor vehicle traffic in the U.S.,” said Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. “Now, cyclists can follow the historic route for more than 400 miles through Oklahoma using the newly designated USBR 66. This latest round of U.S. Bicycle Route System designations exemplifies AASHTO’s steadfast commitment to creating active transportation facilities in rural and urban America.”
Bike Along Historic Route 66 Through Oklahoma
The 429-mile route on USBR 66 crosses the state from the Kansas border near Miami in its northeast corner to the Texas Panhandle near Elk City on the west. It travels through Tulsa and Oklahoma City and passes landmarks like the world’s largest concrete totem pole near Chelsea, the Round Barn in Arcadia, the historic Bridgeport Bridge from The Grapes of Wrath, and Lucille’s Service Station in Weatherford along the way.
Ride Along Minnesota’s 10,000 Lakes
From the west bank of the Mississippi River in St. Cloud, USBR 20 travels 188 miles northwest, joining the Lake Wobegon Regional Trail to Osakis, then the Central Lakes State Trail to Fergus Falls, passing numerous towns and several of the state’s 10,000 lakes along the way. The route leaves Fergus Falls on a section of the North Country Trail and continues to Maplewood State Park before merging with the Heart of the Lakes Trail (to be completed this summer). After Pelican Rapids, it reaches Moorhead, the Red River, and the North Dakota border on roads and trails.
View Historic Sites And Delaware River In Delaware
With a total of 37 miles, the new USBR 201 begins at the Pennsylvania border and parallels the Delaware River to the southwest, joining the Northern Delaware Greenway and linking Bellevue State Park to Brandywine Park as it enters Wilmington. After crossing the center of the city, it follows the Jack A. Markell Trail to historic New Castle and, again, the Delaware River, where there are views of waterfowl, ships, and the Delaware Memorial Bridge. Turning west, the route continues through Newark neighborhoods and past the University of Delaware campus to its end at the Maryland border.
Extension In Michigan
On its east end, USBR 20 has been extended about 7 miles on local roads, the Bridge to Bay Trail, and the state highway to the city of Algonac. The route now crosses Michigan from Algonac to Bay City and Ludington.
Realigned In Indiana
Sections of USBR 35 have been realigned to move them from roads to extensions of the Erie Trail in Starke County and the Pennsy Trail in Marion County. The route crosses the state from the Michigan border to Louisville, Kentucky, passing through Indianapolis.
These projects were based on feedback from cyclists and local communities, as well as the completion of infrastructure improvements and other projects.
About Adventure Cycling Association
Since 1973, the Adventure Cycling Association has been helping people discover the world through cycling. It connects, inspires, and empowers more than 54,000 members by bike. It has produced more than 50,000 miles of meticulously mapped bicycle routes for North America and organizes more than 100 tours each year.
